Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Police Hiring topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Michiana council approves two-tier $10,000 police hiring incentive
Summary
The Michiana council voted unanimously Aug. 8 to approve a two-tier hiring incentive for new police officers — $5,000 after one year and $5,000 after two years — to address staffing shortages and overtime coverage.
Chief Ryan Layman reported community safety concerns and proposed a two-tier hiring incentive for new police officers during the council meeting on Aug. 8, 2025. The proposal offered $5,000 after completion of a first year of service and another $5,000 after the second year, a total incentive of $10,000 intended to improve recruitment and retention.
"Proposed a two-tier police officer hiring incentive: $5,000 bonus after one year of service, and $5,000 after two years, for Michiana," Chief Ryan Layman told the council. The council moved promptly to formalize the proposal. Councilmember Mike Botelho moved to approve the two-tier short-term incentive; Brian Cassidy seconded the motion. A roll call vote recorded five yeas and zero nays; the motion carried.
The council did not attach additional conditions to the incentive in the recorded motion. The hiring incentive follows council discussion about overtime coverage while the department is short-staffed; Chief Layman specifically thanked Officers Creo Brewster and Heather Crooks for covering overtime shifts. The incentive now stands as council policy for prospective hires; implementation details and administrative steps will be handled by village staff.
